Años de pesadilla

A must for students and others interested in the 2nd World War, especially the behind-the-scenes machinations of the Nazi's. Sam Waterston was tremendous in the leading role and well supported by Marthe Keller as his wife, while Ronald Pickup deserves a mention as 'putzi' Hanfstaengl, an old acquaintance of Hitlers in the early days. Although it was somewhat embellished here and there, it is a faithful enough depiction that keeps all viewers engrossed at the absurdities of Herr Goebbels' propaganda machine.

While the length of the movie at almost 6 hours may seem over-long for some, it is just about enough given the content, which spans Shirer's first visit to Berlin (1934) since he left 10 years earlier; and there is more than enough action and suspense to keep the movie from flagging; gradually pulling one into the 'nightmare' that was the 3rd Reich.